☕️☕️Ride through the Irish Hills☕️☕️ . Brooklyn, MI is known for many things, from MIS to the local lakes and the quaint and festive downtown. One name that has been around since after the Prohibition is Callaghan’s. While the Callaghan’s name is not new to Brooklyn, the family owned, Callaghan’s Coffee Cafe opened its doors in August of 2020. . New to the scene, their menu features traditional coffee drinks like espresso, cold brew and lattes, cold drinks like iced tea, lemonade and smoothies and an assortment of sandwiches, wraps and baked goods to eat. Desiree Fires’ favorite item on the menu is the Mound Latte: a latte with dark chocolate and coconut flavoring and oat milk. The cafe also boasts a drive-thru window around the back of the building and online ordering via the Toast TakeOut app. . The new owners, Chad and Desiree Fires saw the space downtown that sat vacant for the last several years and knew that was the SPOT for their dream coffee shop! The building itself needed a lot of renovations and remodeling. While going through plans, the Fires found hidden treasures of the past bar, including retro mirrors, high school football helmets and a pool table light. They gave the public a chance to own a piece of history with a silent auction of these items! . Fast forward to 2020, Callaghan’s Coffee Cafe, kept the name and is now a spot to hit when in need of a caffience fix or a sweet treat! If you are in the area, take a peek at the toastab link below to order ahead of time or stop by and check out the new coffee spot in town! . https://www.toasttab.com/callaghans-coffee-cafe-109-south-main-st @callaghanscoffeecafe 101 Monroe St, Brooklyn, MI 49230 (517) 938-5136

☘️☘️☘️Ride through the Irish Hills☘️☘️☘️ . We are lucky to have the Irish Hills Regional Chamber of Commerce put on great events and spread the best things about our area throughout the year. This coming weekend is no exception! The IHRCC is hosting the 11th Annual Taste of the Irish Hills event THIS weekend, Saturday, September 11th - Sunday, September 12th! . What is the Taste of the Irish HIlls, you ask? Well, it is a two-day, self-guided foodie tour of the best eating establishments in the Irish Hills. You will recieve samples and specials from 20 business for just $25 a ticket! Below are a list of the participating locations: . Artesian Wells Sports Tavern Boot Jack Tavern Brooklyn Big Boy Brooklyn Moose Lodge No. 2651 Callaghan’s Coffee Cafe Cherry Creek Cellars and Winery Club 223 Harold’s Place Highland Inn Patriot Pub and Grub Sandbar Cafe Coffee and Creamery Stoyanna’s Catering/Screamin’ Mimi Ice Cream The Cove Bar and Grill The Winery North of 12 Two Lakes Tavern and Walker Tavern Historic Site! . Tickets are available on IrishHills.com, the chamber office at 124 S. Main Street, Brooklyn, Visit Lenawee and Cherry Creek Winery! . https://www.facebook.com/events/335450894981902/?active_tab=about For questions, please call 517-592-8907. Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce

🍦🍨🍦Ride through the Irish HIlls🍦🍨🍦 . It’s the last full week of August and it is going to be a HOT one! Make sure you keep cool and refreshed with a special treat from the Irish Hills Dairy Barn! Located along US-12 in Onsted, it’s a a quick and easy stop! . Open now for over 65 years, this family oriented business has a massive menu, not just ice cream either! From hand dipped, to flurries, smoothies, sundaes, gelato, you pretty much name it, they have a sweet treat you’ll love! More of a savory palate? That’s great, the Irish HIlls Dairy Barn also serves an assortment of appetizers and handhelds! . Located near several lakes and parks, it is a perfect addition to your US-12 drive! Don’t take our word for it, check out a few of the Google reviews patrons gave: . Huge portions, good ice cream. Quaint and busy. Serves Sterling Ice Cream...made in Michigan . Right on US 12 in Irish Hills. . Everytime we go to Wampler's Lake we have to stop here and get some of their delicious ice cream and tenders. Will be back 🍦🌊 . Great ice cream and reasonable prices if you're looking to grab a bite to eat as well. . Make sure to check their FB page or give them a call for the most up to date information, hours and specials! 7761 US-12, Onsted, MI 49265 (734) 865-0555 @irishhillsdairybar

🦅🍔🍹Ride through the Irish Hills 🦅🍔🍹 . Clark Lake is one of many Lakes in the area, but is home to several restaurants that cater to Lake Life. One of which allows your boat to dock right up against their outdoor patio area, is The Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill. That’s right, it is back and better than ever! . Eagle Point housed the Eagles Nest restaurant for more than 50 years before having to close their doors in 2011. Most recently, this spot was known as a high-end restaurant, The Pointe. The Pointe closed in October of 2020 and has since been under a transformation from the upscale, collared shirt type to a hop off your raft & feel at home bar/restaurant, thanks to the new owner Blair Huff. . Huff also owns the ever popular Lucero’s down the street and has also brought on his manager Jorge Orozco for this new lakeside spot! Due to staffing issues, The Eagle’s Nest was unable to open as early as they wanted, but officially opened their doors on July 28th, 2021. . With a fresh facelift, some major reconstruction and a dynamite new menu, there is a lot to see and experience at The Eagle’s Nest. If you are in the area, driving through or cruising around on the Lake, make sure you put this SPOT on your list! . Stop by their Facebook and website to get the most up to date hours, specials and events going on! . @eaglesnestclarklake Eaglesnestclarklake.com 517-529-7116 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake, MI 49234

🏷🏷🏷Ride through the Irish HIlls🏷🏷🏷 . It’s that time of year again! If you are a garage sale hero - you will WANT to take a trip through the Irish Hills along US-12 this weekend. The annual US 12 Heritage Trail Annual Garage Sale is this weekend, August 13th - August 15th! . Front yards and rented space along US 12 will be FILLED with all sorts of items, from antiques to furniture and everything in between. Many spots you can also find fresh garden produce and homemade jams and jellies. Some of the sales are located on farms, homes, businesses, empty fields and more. With over 180 Miles of garage sales, there is something for everyone! . In Cement City, McCourtie Park will be hosting the US-12 Garage sale as well as having a live band on Friday, August 13th from 6pm - 9pm. There are several restaurants, wineries and scenic views along this route, so if you are a garage sale hero - there are plenty of things to make a day out of Michigan's Longest Garage Sale! . Make sure you take special care while driving, parking and crossing the road while enjoying the sales this weekend. . For more information check out these FB pages and website! @US12HeritageTrail McCourtie Park https://www.facebook.com/events/338333664425285?ref=newsfeed https://www.us12heritagetrail.org/garage_sale.asp

🌊🍻🍔Ride through the Irish HIlls 🌊🍻🍔 . Much of the Irish Hills is covered in beautiful, Michigan lakes. When it comes to “Lake Living” lifestyles, Manitou Beach area has to down! Boot Jack Tavern in Manitou Beach is no exception. Creating a rustic, but incredible welcoming experience, Boot Jack Tavern is a must stop when in the area. . They have a HUGE beer and cocktail menu, featuring some of the best brews and spirits the Great Lakes State creates. They offer more than the standard “bar food” at this Tavern. With a huge selection of fresh salads, locally sourced meat and delicious selection of handhelds, there is truly something here for everyone! . If that doesn’t have you convinced to stop out, Boot Jack’s hosts Trivia Wednesdays and often has live music. They also have a gorgeous outdoor space with twinkly lights that is a perfect spot to spend a summer night with friends. Don’t just believe us, here are a few things Boot Jack Tavern guests have said: . Came in for Lunch and I gotta say I'm impressed! Good food, excellent portions for the money, and friendly staff. Will definitely be back when I visit the area! . I love it here! The food and atmosphere is exactly what you need in a lake community. We ordered the Cowboy Burger and they split it for us. We asked for a small order of onion rings and they accommodated that request too. The onion rings are delicious!! Must try. . Good atmosphere, good drinks, and fun trivia nights! . Food was excellent. Wait staff were cheerful and bubbly. Took a while to get our food. They were short staffed like a lot of other places. You just have to be patient. Atmosphere was very nice . Make sure you check out their FB page and website for the most up to date specials, events, hours and for any restrictions. 734 Manitou Road, Manitou Beach, MI 49253 @bootjacktavern 51 72 525475 http://bootjacktavern.com/

🍖🧀🍗Ride through the Irish Hills🍗🧀🍖 . If you ask a local around here about meat markets, they will likely tell you about McAuliffe's Meats. Since 1990, this family owned Meat Market, is known for fair pricing and a HUGE assortment. They specialize in quality meats and also offer produce. . Prior to this year, if you visited McAuliffe's you would have been driving down a dirt road unsure where you were heading. Luckily, once you found the Meat Market, you will not be dissapointed. From the huge selection of meats and fish, produce and friendly staff, it is no wonder McAuliffe's is a hidden gem! . This year, they moved the market to a facility out on US-127 but still offer outstanding products with fair pricing. If you don't believe us, just check some of the reviews below: . I love this place! The staff are always very nice and their meat prices make so you can afford to buy a little extra. I recommend this place to anyone and everyone I know. I'd give it more stars if I could . Fantastic selections from meats to all the sides one may need for the weeks meal planning with the best value around town... Well done ALL!!! . I like getting my meat from there the people are very kind and considerate they help their customers very much and they're very nice to you I like to be able to call ahead and they will put meat a side for me of what I am looking for this way I get what I want when I get there it is a very busy place . Great country store. Good selection of meat and cheese, and can't beat the price . Make sure you follow their FB page, they post what their specials are with pricing for the week. Also, check their page for the most up to date hours and information. . @McauliffesMeats (517) 547-6706 9899 US 127, Addison, MI 49220

🌅🌅🌅Ride through the Irish HIlls🌅🌅🌅 . New to the long list of State Parks, Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve was added as the 103rd Park in 2015. Located by Watkins Lake in the Brooklyn area, this Park is rich in history, stunning views and tons of wildlife. . Watkins Lake State Park & County Preserve is known for watchable-wildlife and features the Irish HIlls iconic rolling land with a mixture of open meadows, hardwoods, low wetland areas, open water and most notable, Watkins Lake. The 5-mile walking trail provides huge opportunities for bird watching and other wildlife. . While very beautiful, this plot of land also captures part of Michigan’s contribution to the Underground Railroad. The Watkins Farm was owned by early settler Royal Watkins in the 1800’s. Royal and his wife, Sally, both adamantly opposed slavery and employeed African and Native Americans and actively worked with activists to aide those fleeing from slavery. . The Watkins Farm joins 25 other Michigan sites and programs officially connected to the Underground Railroad history through the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission and teh National Network to Freedom. The Watkins Civil-War era home is still standing, but is not part of the park or the Network to Freedom Listing. . This Park is not only a significant historical location, but is also home to an abundance of wildlife. It is a largely popular birding spot and should definitely make you list! . For the most up to date information please check the DNR website below: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx... 14801 Arnold Road, Brooklyn, MI 49230

🍷🍷🍷Ride through the Irish Hills🍷🍷🍷 . This area is known for having an abundance of vineyards and wineries. We are NOT mad about that. In Tecumseh, on the outskirts of town, is a place, the owner, Michael Wells turned into his dream! Black Fire Winery opened in 2016 and should make it on your list to stop! . For many years, Michael was working full time for the fire-department, but knew he wanted to follow his interests for winemaking. He took classes on viticulture, enology, winemaking at Michigan State University and eventually began growing grapes! Next he planted 5 acres of grape vines and began the process of creating Black Fire Winery! . The year following opening, ciders and beers were added to the manufactured drinks on the menu! Black Fire Winery has on tap eight beers and eight ciders available with a variety of wines to choose from. If that isn’t enough to peek your interest, most times you will find live music and entertainment! . Whether you are looking for a quick tasting or an afternoon hanging out overlooking a vineyard with friends, Black Fire Winery is the spot! . For the most up to date hours and information please check out the website or Facebook page! . 1261 E Munger Rd., Tecumseh, MI 517-424-9232 https://www.blackfirewinery.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Black-Fire-Winery-1614608145490416